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The Darkroom

I used to be afraid of the dark. Terrified. Maybe I thought that only bad things happened in dark shadows, but now I see things a little differently. I see the darkness as an opportunity to find the light.

What you may be going through looks pretty dark, but it’s only dark to you.I have gone through a darkroom experience, of sorts, during every broken season in my life. I was never in control of how long that season would last, but I can tell you this, I kicked against it as hard as I could hoping to the speed the process up. I wanted to be in control, I wanted to see what was waiting on the other side of my darkroom as quickly as possible. But, the darkroom process involved a steady pace that required the consistency of surrender. Clearly, it wasn’t about keeping or gaining control at all, it was about losing it and leaning into the God who is near to the broken and contrite spirit. This is how we find the light of God in our broken darkness.

“…even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” Psalm 139:12

To find the light waiting in the art, I would have to sit in the dark and process.

But usually before we can see the hope of that, we are consumed with two thoughts: it’s dark and I feel alone in this darkness.

Recently I began studying about the “darkroom” used in photography. The darkroom is a workshop used by photographers, it has to be made completely stark to allow the forward movement of the light-sensitive film and paper. From the initial development to the creating of prints, the darkroom allows complete control over the medium and material. But, to find the light and capture beautiful creations, it first has to go through darkness. The darkness actually brings out the light and imagery that makes it worth looking at.

For years now I have been a woman on a mission “writing with light” about my darkest seasons. For me Soul Recovery became a mission of peeling back the layers in my life, but this time it wasn’t about wishing them away, but finding the treasures hidden for me in the darkness and realizing all of those things that Satan tried to destroy me with were actually the moments that made me dig deeper in my faith.

When we see darkness, He is light.When we feel empty handed, He is sending us treasure hunting.You feel shame in your secret places, but he is the God, calling you out by name…not by the list of wrongs you hold onto.

So, while you wait in the dark just know this…this is really where art happens inside of you. This is where you find yourself so done with easy fixes and begin seeking God in such a way that counterfeit spirituality doesn’t work any longer. Where Christian cliches fall flat because they are so rehearsed, but rarely felt or seen displayed. Nope, you go for the gritty gospel that is alive and active and sharp enough to cut through the jagged places inside of you that are ready to be brought into his light.

I will give you the treasures of darknessand the hoards in secret places,that you may know that it is I, the Lord,the God of Israel, who call you by your name. (Isaiah 45:3 ESV)

So much love to you,

Jennifer

Let’s go a little bit deeper:

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit[b] is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

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2 responses to “The Darkroom”

This is such a powerful word for me today as He has me in a darkroom at the moment. Ironically Light has always been my favorite description of Jesus. I am seeking His face in this dark place, this dark season and trusting that He has something special for me here in this place. Beautiful as always.